Child Safety Codes – Indoors and Outdoors

Troubles don’t need invitation when you have a baby or a toddler at a home. Most parents may have faced and regretted accidents, however big or small, as they are just human after all and cannot monitor the kids 24 hours a day.

Young babies from the age of 1 to 3 years are more prone to accidents, usually at home, because they lack the consciousness about what is good and what can harm them. A mother’s daily routine includes being constantly on her toes if there is a tot around and most parents do keep safety checks in place. However, some things go amiss at times so one should never neglect and be very careful about the safety of the child. Let’s look at a set of safety rules which, if planned and executed well in time, help save a lot of stress to yourself and harm to the apple of your eye.

The golden rule is to never leave your baby alone! Be it in a bath tub, car, while sleeping or on a high place like on bed/chair. Besides you should also ensure safety when your baby is:
At home with people outside family and with pets/animals.
Do not let anybody touch/hold your child while holding hot tea or food,
Do not let others touch your child while he/she is smoking,
While feeding your child-If you are using a feeder for babies below 8 months, do not expect your child to hold the feeder by himself as it may lead to choking. Keep items like button, batteries and coins out of your child’s reach to prevent choking.

Sleep-time Safety

Up to the age of three years; let your child sleep in with you. This not only helps to create a strong bonding but also to ensure his/her safety. If at two years or older, you plan to get a separate bed for your child, then make sure that it is placed to the wall with three sides blocked and only one side open, from where he/she can safely get down if he needs anything late in the night for example, to go to washroom.

Always make your baby sleep on his/her back.

Never leave toys, nappy pads or cloths beside his pillow, at night it can cause discomfort.

Avoid putting on jewelry yourself and on your baby.

Playtime Safety

Do not leave your child alone in baby walker; with the slightest imbalance, he may fall and get hurt.

Make sure all the cupboards and drawers are locked to prevent finger trapping and none should have sharp edges.

Make sure all the electrical inlets have child safety lock; cords and wires must be up and away to prevent strangling or an electrical shock.

Ensure that all the windows and doors have proper fitting latches and stoppers. Always put the stopper on windows and door and keep them locked.

Kitchen Safety

The best way is to keep things high up and out of reach. Try to keep all the utensils and containers stacked in proper places, if possible in cupboards with latches.

It is very important to give medicinal doses as per prescribed age limit.

Toys Safety

Try to buy washable toys for young babies and good branded ones. Avoid buying cheap toys as they have synthetic colors and are made of substandard plastic. These containing harmful chemicals can be hazardous especially due to most children’s habit of chewing on toys.

For toddlers, make sure they wear headgear while cycling or playing outdoor games like cricket and football.

Vehicle and Road Safety

Always make your child sit with you or any other adult and never alone in the back seat. Even for toddlers, try to fix safety seats in your car.

Prevent suffocation in trunk of cars. Children shouldn’t be able to climb into the trunk from inside the car, hence, keep rear fold-down seats always closed. Also, never forget to lock car doors and keep the keys out of sight and reach of your child.

Teach your child basic rules of the road – about the dangers of streets, cars, and other vehicles.

A hat or cap, sunscreen and loose clothing are a must-do for your child if outdoors for long hours. Also, watch out for heat exhaustion and dehydration.

Always keep a close watch over your baby when outside to prevent abduction and also, teach your toddler how to react to strangers or when feeling threatened.

To conclude, young ones are very vulnerable because of their quick mobility and excitement. To avoid injuries and guilt, think and foresee the potentially dangerous situations that will attract your child. While supervising your child helps prevent accidents, constant fluttering over kids can limit their experiences as well as confidence. The key is knowing how to balance supervision with safety precautions taken much in advance which will allow children to explore and grow from own experience.

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A full time mom and an avid reader, she focuses on creating a healthy lifestyle for herself and her family! Ummulkiram loves to observe & spend time with her 3 yr old, click pictures, travel, watch movies, and lately, rediscovered the passion for editing & writing - once seeked in her Advertising-Marcomm career.
Always looking for interesting conversations and eager to help.